THE battle of the A-boards has taken a new and sinister twist.

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade sent a questionnaire to all 62 members of Blackburn with Darwen Council, asking for their opinions on A-boards and pavement displays.

But only nine replied and Chamber co-ordinator Rita Wakeley claimed the response was so poor because members of the ruling Labour group were instructed by their leaders not to return the forms.

Councillor Andy Kay, chairman of the regeneration committee, denied that such an instruction was issued but said he was going to reply on behalf of the entire Labour group.

Why shouldn't members of the Labour Group reveal their personal opinions on an issue that is making the council appear a laughing stock?

Democracy seems to have been pushed into a corner.

Instead we have the unedifying sight of Labour councillors being tamely led by the nose by the caucus.

What is the leadership afraid of? Blackburn with Darwen Council appear to be running a vendetta against local traders, and they are the only local authority we can find who adopt this stance.

Suddenly, old-style Labour heads have appeared above the parapit displaying all the anti-business attitudes which helped turn voters away from the party in the 1980s and early 90s.

This is so sad because Blackburn has progressed through partnership during the last few years.

Giant steps have been taken because there has been negotiation, understanding and tolerance on the part of both public and private sectors.

One only has to look around the town to see evidence of this.

But the ruling group's attitude to the A-board saga is turning the clock back to the "do-as-I-say" attitude of Old Labour which persecuted Tommy Ball.

Coun Kay said he was replying to the questionnaire because "some members would not be able to answer some of the questions and I do not want to create the wrong impression."

If his members are not capable of returning a simple form, are they fit to serve on a council and take decisions which can have far reaching effects on local businesses?

It is time Blackburn with Darwen Council admitted they got this issue horribly wrong. When they attempted to prosecute shopkeepers they made absolute fools of themselves but still they blunder on.

Their clash with the Chamber of Trade has dumped them deeper into the mire.

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